Prince's-plume
Stanleya pinnata
Last reviewed: September 2026
Prince's-plume (Stanleya pinnata) is a perennial forb native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states. It blooms in April, May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees. It reads as an intentional, HOA-friendly planting in the right spot.
Toxicity unknown
Prince's-plume (Stanleya pinnata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Prince's-plume.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A striking desert perennial with tall spikes of bright yellow four-petaled flowers held above felty, blue-green foliage, thriving in dry and often mineral-rich soils.
Growing Prince's-plume
Grow Prince's-plume in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Prince's-plume is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: xeriscape bed, rock garden, dry border.
- can take up selenium from certain soils, so avoid planting where grazing livestock could browse it
- its unconventional silvery foliage may read as untidy to neighbors expecting a turf look
Wildlife value
Host plant for Checkered White.
Attracts native bees and serves as a larval host plant for checkered white butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Prince's-plume need?
- Prince's-plume grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Prince's-plume bloom?
- Prince's-plume blooms in April, May, June, and July.
- Where is Prince's-plume native?
- Prince's-plume (Stanleya pinnata) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Prince's-plume host?
- Prince's-plume is a larval host plant for Checkered White.
- Is Prince's-plume HOA-friendly?
- Prince's-plume is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Prince's-plume? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.